Spectacular views, firefighter demonstrations and a rewarding BBQ at the end, are all on the cards for the 2018 Bowning Hill walk. The event, organised to raise funds for the Can Assist Yass Valley Branch, returns the weekend after next, on Sunday, September 23. From 10am to 3pm, everyone will be invited to hike up the hill to enjoy impressive views of Yass Valley, meet other walkers and raise money for local cancer patients. Last year, 500 people showed up for the walk, raising $5,000. Every year, all the money raised goes to help local people get access to cancer treatment and care. The Can Assist website reads, “By providing accommodation, financial assistance and practical support to people from rural and regional areas, we ensure that country people are given the same opportunities and treatment choices as those who live in city centres.” Bowning Hill is only open to the public once a year for the Can Assist fundraiser and one of the event organisers, Barry O’Mara, said it could be the last, with owners planning on selling the site. So, make sure you don’t miss the event in its sixth and possibly final year! It takes roughly 40 minutes to get up, but fear not as there are rest stops along the way, and the Can Assist life-size bear will be providing plenty of entertainment. Once you’re at the top, take a break and enjoy the spectacular surrounding views with the binoculars provided. Mr O’Mara said the views were the best part of the event. “You get an uninterrupted, 360-degree view of the whole of Yass Valley. It’s the highest point in the shire; you can see to places like Canberra and Harden,” he said. Everyone is welcome, with transport available by gold donation to assist those who may have difficulty with the walk or to help people with prams getting up. Entry is by donation of a note. The event is even dog-friendly, as long as dogs are kept on a leash as fox baits have been placed on the property. The Bowning Rural Fire Brigade will hold its opening day in conjunction with the walk, providing demonstrations throughout the day and information necessary for people to be fire ready this season. Yass Valley is at a higher threat of bushfires this season due to the above average temperatures and below average rainfall, we’ve experienced this year. Demonstrations will show how to combat small fires in the home. There will also be activities for children, including the chance to try out the water hose and climb up into the truck. And once all the hard work is over, you can reap the rewards of exercise with a BBQ and drinks at the bottom.

Bowning Hill Walk, September 23

Spectacular views, firefighter demonstrations and a rewarding BBQ at the end, are all on the cards for the 2018 Bowning Hill walk.

The event, organised to raise funds for the Can Assist Yass Valley Branch, returns the weekend after next, on Sunday, September 23.

Lilly Miners, Jazzy-Sky Elliott-Miners and Justice-Jay Elliott-Miners on top of the world at Bowning Hill, 2016.

From 10am to 3pm, everyone will be invited to hike up the hill to enjoy impressive views of Yass Valley, meet other walkers and raise money for local cancer patients.

Last year, 500 people showed up for the walk, raising $5,000. Every year, all the money raised goes to help local people get access to cancer treatment and care.

Make sure you don’t miss the event in its sixth and possibly final year!

The Can Assist website reads, “By providing accommodation, financial assistance and practical support to people from rural and regional areas, we ensure that country people are given the same opportunities and treatment choices as those who live in city centres.”

Enjoy 360-degree views at the top of Bowning Hill, the highest point in the shire.

Bowning Hill is only open to the public once a year for the Can Assist fundraiser and one of the event organisers, Barry O’Mara, said it could be the last, with owners planning on selling the site.

So, make sure you don’t miss the event in its sixth and possibly final year!

You get an uninterrupted, 360-degree view of the whole of Yass Valley.

Barry O'Mara, organiser

It takes roughly 40 minutes to get up, but fear not as there are rest stops along the way, and the Can Assist life-size bear will be providing plenty of entertainment.

Once you’re at the top, take a break and enjoy the spectacular surrounding views with the binoculars provided.

Meet other people along the way and once it's all over, enjoy a BBQ at the bottom of the hill.

Mr O’Mara said the views were the best part of the event.

“You get an uninterrupted, 360-degree view of the whole of Yass Valley. It’s the highest point in the shire; you can see to places like Canberra and Harden,” he said.

Everyone is welcome, with transport available by gold donation to assist those who may have difficulty with the walk or to help people with prams getting up.

Entry is by donation of a note.

The event is even dog-friendly, as long as dogs are kept on a leash as fox baits have been placed on the property.

There will also be activities for children, including the chance to try out the water hose and climb up into the truck.

The Bowning Rural Fire Brigade will hold its opening day in conjunction with the walk, providing demonstrations throughout the day and information necessary for people to be fire ready this season.

Yass Valley is at a higher threat of bushfires this season due to the above average temperatures and below average rainfall, we’ve experienced this year.

Demonstrations will show how to combat small fires in the home. There will also be activities for children, including the chance to try out the water hose and climb up into the truck.

And once all the hard work is over, you can reap the rewards of exercise with a BBQ and drinks at the bottom.